Carbonator

ABSTRACT

Liquid to be carbonated flows under its normal pressure into a combined reservoir and precarbonating chamber and is forced from said chamber by carbonating gas into a combined mixing and dispensing chamber. The supply of carbonating gas to said reservoir and carbonating chamber is controlled by an electromagnetic valve which is actuated by a float-operated switch in accordance with variations in the liquid level in the mixing and dispensing chamber. Constant gas pressure is supplied through a restricted duct to the mixing and dispensing chamber so that if the chamber empties and the switch cuts off the gas supply, resumption of the flow of water into said chamber is automatically effected by simply holding the dispensing valve open to reduce the pressure so as to allow the water to flow in until the float closes the switch to cause restoration of the gas pressure.

United States Patent Frank M. Iannelli S Penwood Road, Livingston, NJ.07039 [21 Appl. No. 797,462 4 [22] Filed Feb. 7, 1969 [45] Patented May1 l, 1971 [72] Inventor [54] CARBONATOR 5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

52 U.S.Cl 222/129.1, 222/394, 261/21 so FieldofSearch 222/190,

129.1, 129.3, 129.4, 394; 261/21, (Carbonator Digest); 261/160 [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,809,597 10/1957 Fowler 261/160X 3,337,197 8/1967 lannelli...

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-H. S. LaneAttorney-Harry B. Rook ABSTRACT: Liquid to be carbonated flows under itsnormal pressure into a combined reservoir and precarbonating chamber'andis forced from said chamber by carbonating gas into a combined mixingand dispensing chamber. The supply of carbonating gas to said reservoirand carbonating chamber is controlled by an electromagnetic valve whichis actuated by a float-operated switch in accordance with variations inthe liquid level in the mixing and dispensing chamber. Constant gaspressure is supplied through a restricted duct to the mixing anddispensing chamber so that if the chamber empties and the switch cutsoff the gas supply, resumption of the flow of water into said chamber isautomatically effected by simply holding the dispensing valve open toreduce the pressure so as to allow the water to flow in until the floatcloses the switch to cause restoration of the gas pressure.

Pa tente d 1 May 11, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN '1' 0R. Fran/f MlarmeF/J I I I ATTORNEY Patented ay 11, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 2 l N VENT OR. Frank M Iazmeffii ATTORNEY CARBONATOR 4 BACKGROUND OF'TI-IEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates tocarbonators wherein the liquid to be carbonated and the carbonatedmixture are circulated through the apparatus by the carbonatinggasitself so as to eliminate motor driven liquid pumps.

2. The Prior Art Such apparatus is known wherein water orother liquidflows from its source, such as a city water supply, under normalpressure into a combined reservoir and precarbonating chamber and isforced from said chamber by the gas itself into a combined mixing anddispensing chamber, the supply of carbonating gas to both said chambersbeing controlled by an electromagnetic valve which. is controlled by aswitch operated by a float in the mixing and dispensing chamber. Thesupply of carbonating gas is automatically shut off if the supply ofwater to be carbonated is interrupted or if the carbonated mixture inthe mixing and dispensing chamber is depleted by withdrawal from thechamber faster than it can be replaced by water from the reservoir. Whenthe gas is shut off, the water flows into the apparatus from the supplyand, unless carefully watched, may continue to flow until the float iselevated to the point where the switch is again opened and thegas-supply is shut off. Then in order to resume operation of theapparatus it has been necessary to manually close the switch.

SUMMARY In accordance with the invention, a constant pressure, for.example, 60 p.s.i. is supplied through a restricted'duct to the mixingand dispensing chamber so that if water fails to enter the apparatusfrom the source, or if carbonated mixture is depleted from thedispensing chamber by withdrawing the mixture faster than it can bereplaced by water from the reservoir, the float-operated switch will beopened to cut off the gas supply and cause the reservoir to vent andthereby allow the water to enter the reservoir from the source. Thedispensing valve is held open and the 60 lb. gas pressure is quicklyreduced to near zero because the inflow of gas is impeded by therestricted duct and therefore the water flows from the reservoir intothe mixing and dispensing chamber until the water level risessufficiently to cause closure of the floatoperated switch and theconsequent restoration of the gas supply to the apparatus. Then thedispensing valve is closed and normal operation or cycling of theapparatus is resumed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding ofthe invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus with portions broken away forcleamess of illustration;

FIG. 2 is a central vertical view approximately on the plane of the line2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the parts in their positions during the flow ofwater from the city supply into the reservoir and precarbonatingchamber;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal sectional view approximately on the plane of theline 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional and elevational view of the apparatus ona reduced scale;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view on the planeof the line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary vertical sectional views on the planesof the lines 6-6, 7-7 and 88, respectively, of FIG. 3, also showingparts that are omitted in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with portions omitted and showing thepositions of the several parts during the forcing of the preearbonatingliquid from the reservoir and precarbonating chamber into the mixing anddispensing chamber;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view approximately on the plane of theline 10-10 of FIG. 5 with parts omitted for clearness in illustration;

; ofthe line 11-11 of'FIG. 5;

FIG. l2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of the permanent bar magnet andportions of theswitch contacts of the floatoperated switch, showing theparts in theneutral or switchopening position;

FIG. 12a is a similar view showing the magnet rotated in one directionto close the switch; and

FIG. 12b is a similar view showing the magnet rotated in the oppositedirection to close the switch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specifically describing theinvention, the reference characters A and B designate, respectively, thecombination mixing and dispensing chamber. These chambers are shown asgenerally cylindrical in shape and are preferably formed of a housingsection C molded of a synthetic resin having a cavity for each chamberand to which are secured in liquid-tight relation thereto by screws 1and packing rings 2, cuplike sections D, one for each chamber. Thisconstruction provides an electrically insulated main section C for easyand quick attaching and detaching of the sections D for access to theparts in the chambers and for cleaning the chambers. The section C isalso formed with a carbonating recess E between said chambers, the upperend of which is closed by a cap plate F secured by screws 3.

The carbonating recess E communicates at one side with the chamber A bytubes'4 through normally closed slit rubber check valves 5, best shownin FIG. 7, that open under the pressure of the liquid from the chamberA. The valves 5 are mounted in recesses 6 in the top wall of the housingsection C, and ports 7 lead from said recesses to the carbonating recessE. At its other side the carbonating recess E communicates with thechamber B through two slotted spray heads 8 each of which is connectedby a tube 9 to the carbonating recess E.

Water or liquid to be carbonated from a suitable source and undersuitable pressure, for example water from a city water supply at twentyp.s.i. enters the apparatus from a pipe G and through a duct 10 in thetop wall of the housing to a spring closed check valve 11 (FIG. 6) thatis normally pressed against its seat 12 by a spring 13 interposedbetween the valve and one end of a perforated cup-shaped casing 14 thatis screwed into the top wall of the housing. The valve 11 opens underpressure of the incoming water to permit the water to flow into thechamber A. While the gas therein is vented therefrom, such flow of thewater continues until it is stopped by a float H vertically reciprocablein the chamber on a rod 15a, which has a valve seat 15 engaging the endof a vent tube 16 which is carried by a bushing 17 screwed into theouter side of the top wall of the housing and having therein agravityclosed ball check valve 18 that opens under pressure of the airforced out of the chamber A by the incoming water. The bushing isconnected by an elbow l9 and tube 20 to a vent passage 21 in a block Isecured to the cap plate F. This passage leads to a valve chamber 22into which projects the core 23 of the electromagnetic valve unit J,which has longitudinal external slots 24 that open into a space 25between the core and its casing 26 through which extends a vent hole 27that opens to the atmosphere. The hole 27 is opened and closed by avalve disc 28 on the end of the core which is normally held in apositioning to open the vent hole by a compression spring 29 whichnormally biases the core so as to hold a second valve disc 30 on theother end of the core against a valve seat 31. The valve 30, 31 controlsthe flow of high pressure carbonating gas into the chamber 22 from aninlet duct 32 which is connected by pipe 33 to a supply of carbonatinggas under high press'ure,'for example p.s.i. When the solenoid of theelectromagnetic valv'e unit .I is energized, the core 23 is actuated soas to close the air vent opening 27 and at the same time open the valve30, 31 to admit high pressure gas into the apparatus.

The high pressure gas flows through the passage 21 (FIGS. 5 and 10) intoa duct 32a which ,is connected by tube 33a to the gas inlet andprecarbonating head of the chamber A and the high pressure gas alsoflows directly from the supply pipe 33 through another passage 34 to apressure regulating valve as sembly K by which the pressure is reduced.for example to 60 p.s.i., and flows through a restricted duct 35 FIGS.5, 8, I and 11) and a slitted rubber check valve 36 into the carbonatingrecess E which is part of the inlet passage of the chamber B. The highpressure'gas tube 33 is connected to a duct 38 in the top wall of thehousing C (FIG. 6) and through a slitted rubber check valve 39 to thehigh pressure gas inlet pipe 40 of the chamber A to which is connectedthe carbonating head P. The valve 39 is arranged in a cup-shaped casing41 into the housing C and has the pipe 40 connected thereto. The valve36 is shown (FIG. 8) as mounted in a cup-shaped casing 37 that isscrewed into the cap plate F, and the valve opens under the incoming gaspressure and automatically closes when the pressure is relieved. Withthis arrangement the mixing and dispensing chamber B has a constantsupply of gas at a pressure of, for example 60 p.s.i., while the highgas pressure supplied to the reservoir-carbonating chamber A is underthe control of the electromagnetic valve unit].

The circuit through the solenoid of the electromagnetic valve unit .I iscontrolled by a normally open switch L connected in series circuit withthe solenoid and a source of elec tricity and actuated into closedpositions by a permanent bar magnet M which is in turn rotated bycoaction of a float N in the chamber B and a helically twisted rod 0 toone end of which the magnet M is connected intermediate the ends of themagnet. A magnetically operated switch of this character is shown anddescribed in US. Pat. No. 3,283,095 dated Nov. 1, I966.

Wires 42 and 43 from the solenoid extend to the external fixed ends ofthe respective resilient magnetic leaf switch contacts 44 and 45 of theswitch I... The free ends of said leafcontacts are normally separated asshown in FIGS. 3 and 2 but may be magnetically brought together orclosed (FIG. 9) or allowed to separate or to open, upon turning of thepermanent bar magnet M on the axis of the rod 0 as shown in FIGS. 12 and12a. The magnet is exposed closely beneath the leaf contacts butseparate therefrom by the top wall of the housing section C. The leafcontacts are shown as mounted in a plastic tube or housing 46 in theopposite ends of which the leaf contacts are sealed as shown in FIG. 3.The tube 46 is held in place in any suitable manner, for example byclips 47 held in place on the top wall of the housing by screws 48.Spaced apart upstanding lugs 49 on the housing provide a socket betweenthem for the plastic tube 46.

The housing top wall has a downwardly opening recess 50 the lowerinterior portion of which threaded as indicated at 51 and adjustablyreceives a screw-threaded mounting fitting 52 for rods 53 that slidablysupport the float N. The lower ends of the rods are rigidly fixedlyconnected together for example, by a plate 63. Both the housing sectionC and the fitting 52, like the tube 46, are formed of nonmagneticelectrical insulating material. For mounting the float on the rods, thefloat is shown as formed with a buoyant hollow body 54 and has a centralopening 55. At the upper end of the body the central opening 55 isbridged by a plate 56 rigidly secured to the body and having arectangular aperture 56a through which the rod 0 relatively slidablyextends. The body also has openings 57 parallel to the opening 55,through each of which extends one of the rods 53. To rotate the barmagnet M, the actuating rod 0 is preferably square in a cross sectionand is twisted into helical form along portions of its length to providethe respective upper and lower helical portions 58 and 59 being twistedin opposite directions from the intermediate portion 60. The

parts are so arranged and mounted that when the float body 54 is at itsupper position the movement of the apertured plate 56 by the floatrelative to the rod 0, will move the magnet M so that the leaf contacts45 will be separated to break the circuit through the solenoid 1.Movement of the float downwardly along the intermediate portion 60 ofthe rod will rotate the magnet to effect movement of the contactstogether to close said circuit. Further. descent of the float will then,through the lower twisted portion 59 of the rod 0, rotate the magnet toits original position so that the circuit is again opened through thesolenoid. When the circuit through the solenoid is open as shown in FIG.2 the supply of carbonating gas is cut off, while when the circuit isclosed as shown in FIG. 9, carbonating gas is admitted into theapparatus. 7

The carbonated liquid to be dispensed from the chamber B leaves thechamber through an outlet tube 61 that depends into the chamber from thetop wall of the housing and is connected at its upper end to a dischargepipe O which may have a suitable valve or faucet R as shown in FIG. 4.

In operation of the apparatus so far described, assuming the chambers Aand B are empty and the floats H and N are at their lowest positions,the electrical and gas connections are first made and then the water orother liquid to be carbonated is allowed to flow under, for example thecity pressure, into the reservoir and precarbonating chamber A throughthe valve I1, 12. During this operation the air in the chamber ispermitted to escape through the vent tube 16, check valve 18, passage21, vent grooves 24 in the solenoid core and the vent hole 27 (FIG. 5).When the liquid has reached a predetermined level, the float H iselevated so that valve seat 15 on the float engages the end of the tube16 and closes the vent, after which the liquid flows through tubes 4into the carbonating recess and thence through tubes 9 and spray heads8, which constitute an inlet passage, into the mixing and dispensingchamber B. During this operation the carbonating gas supply is cut offat valve 30,31. When the liquid level in chamber B rises and the float Nmoves along the portion 60 of the rod 0, the float actuates the magnet Mto close the switch L and energize the solenoid which opens the valve30, 31 to permit influx of carbonating gas at high pressure, aboutp.s.i., to the chamber A. At the same time carbonating gas is constantlyor continually admitted through the pressure reducing valve K to thecarbonating chamber E at a pressure of around 60 p.s.i. The highpressure in chamber A forces additional liquid into chamber B causingfloat H to descend and float N to rise and actuate the switch into off"position and thereby cut off, the gas supply to chamber A. The pressureof the gas in chamber A is such as to prevent influx of liquid from thesupply at a pressure of, for example 20 to 40 lbs., but when the supplyof gas is shut off by the solenoid valve 30, 31, the vent of the chamberA is opened through the vent passages 24, 27 (FIG. 5), and then thepressure drops in chamber A and liquid from the source will enter thechamber until the level rises high enough to again close the float valve15, 16. Then both chambers have the normal or predetermined quantitiesof liquid therein to begin normal carbonating operation, and when thecompletely carbonating liquid is drawn from the chamber B throughdischarge pipe Q, float N will descend into the position shown in FIG. 9so as to close the switch L and again open the solenoid valve so as tosupply carbonating gas to the chamber A, it being understood that theliquid flows from the mixing and dispensing chamber B through thedischarge pipe under the gas pressure in the chamber.

If water fails to enter the apparatus from the source through chamber A,or if the carbonated liquid is withdrawn from chamber B faster than itan be replaced by water from the chamber A, the float N descend to itslower most position shown by dot and dash lines in FIG. 2 so as to openthe switch L and cut off the supply of gas to the chamber A. The gas inthe reservoir chamber A will then be vented through the vent C and waterwill flow into the chamber form the source. The dispensing valve R isheld open and the 60 p.s.i. gas pressure is quickly reduced to near zerobecause the inflow of gas is impeded by the restricted duct 35, andtherefore the water flows from the reservoir chamber A under the sourcepressure of for example 20 p.s.i. into the mixing and dispensing chamberB until the water level rises sufficiently to raise the float and thuscause closure of the switch L and the consequent restoration of the gassupply to the reservoir-carbonating chamber A. During this operation,when the water level rises in chamber B gas is permitted to continuemomentarily through-the hole 62.

in the discharge pipe 61 above the entrance end of the pipe until thewater has raised the float a sufficient distance to cause closure of theswitch L; and when the water level rises above the hole 62, thecarbonated liquid in the chamber B is again subjected to the full gaspressure of 60 p.s.i. to cause outflow of the liquid each time thedischarge valve is opened.

To avoid the possibility of excessive pressure accumulating in thechamber B, a known type of spring closed relief valve T may be utilizedhaving its inlet connected to the chamber and its outlet to theatmosphere.

A carbonating head P is shown as comprising two irregularly coiled orlooped tubes 67 each having its opposite ends connected by aT-fittingi68 to the high pressure gas supply pipe 40, the coiled pipeshaving a large number of minute apertures 69 through which jets ofcarbonating gas are projected into the liquid in the chamber A.

Means is provided for defrosting or preventing accumulations of frost orice in the vent for the chamber A. For this purpose, relatively warmincoming water from the supply is caused to contact'the vent tube 16 asthe water flows into the chamber A, and this is effected by providing awater circulating chamber 100 in the water inlet passage 10, throughwhich passes a portion of the vent pipe between the end of the vent tube16 and the check valve 18. The warm water will sufficiently heat thevent tube-to prevent accumulation of frost or ice in the vent opening inthe tube.

While any suitable pressure reducing or regulating valve may be.utilized for reducing the pressure of the high pressure gas from, forexample 135 p.s.i. to 60 p.s.i., there is provided a valvewhichcomprises a cup-shaped valve element 70 slidably mountedin a valvechamber 7] at the highpressure gas side of a valve seat at the otherside of which is the low pressure gas passage 35. The high pressure gaspassage 34 opens directly into said chamber, a restricted duct 78 leadsfrom low pressure passage 35 to the diaphragm chamber 79 to at one sideof cluding an outlet pipe in the reservoir-carbonating chambercommunicating with aninlet passage to said mixing-dispensing chamberadjacent the top thereof above, the liquid level therein and a checkvalve between said outlet pipe and said inlet passage, means including asupply pipe for a carbonating gas under constant high pressure providingfor supply of cara flexible diaphragm 73. The valve element is normallypressed against its seat by a spring 72 interposed between the valveelement and an abutment plate 81. The flexible diaphragm 73 is clampedbetween a cap plate 77 and the block l and is abutted at one side by oneend of a regulating spring 75 the other end of which engages aregulating cap 76 screwed into cap plate 77. The opposite side of thediaphragm engages oneend of a pin 80 slidable in the block with itsother end abutting the valve element. The valve 70, 71 controls the flowof gas from the passage 34 to the passage 35.

it is desirable that the magnet M be adjustable toward and away from theswitch contacts 45 and this is effected by the rotation of the mounting52. Preferably set screws 78 or other suitable means are provided forlocking the member 52 in adjusted position, the-screws being threadedinto the mounting member and attachedto abut the underside of thehousing top carbonating chamber and said mixing-dispensing chamberinbonating gas to said reservoir-carbonating chamber under control ofthe first-named means at acpressure substantially greater than thepressure of the liqui supply to force the liquid from saidreservoir-carbonating chamber into said mixv ing-dispensing chamber,means connected to said supply pipe independently of. thefirst-mentioned control valves and including a restricted duct providingfor constant supply of carbonating gas from said supply pipe throughsaid restricted duct to said mixing-dispensing chamber at a low pressuresubstantially less than the gas pressure supplied to saidreservoircarbonating chamber, and discharge means for saidmixingdispensing chamber including a discharge pipe with its entranceend adjacent the bottom of said chamber and a discharge valve at the theother end of said pipe.

2. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 1 with th addition ofmeans for causing actuation of said control valve simultaneously topermit flow of carbonating gas into said reservoir-carbonating chamberwhen the carbonated liquid in said mixingdispensing chamber moves from apredetermined high level to a predetermined low level and thereby forceI liquid from the reservoir-carbonating chamber into saidmixing-dispensing chamber and to cut off carbonating gas from saidreservoir-carbonating chamber and simultaneously vent gas therefrom whenthe carbonated liquid in said mixing dispensing chamber returns to saidpredetermined high level and thereby permit liquid to be carbonated toenter said reservoir-carbonating chamber, the last-named means beingconstructed to cut off the supply of carbonating gas to saidreservoir-carbonating chamber when the liquid in the mixingdispensingchamber drops below said predetermined low level while the supply of gascontinues through said restricted duct to said mixing-dispensingchamber.

3. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the means forcausing actuation of said control valve includes a solenoid foractuating said valves,' a switch for controlling energization anddeenergization of said solenoid upon closing and opening of the switch,and means including a float responsive to the liquid level in saidmixing-dispensing chamber for controlling opening and closing of saidswitch.

4. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein saiddischargepipe has a vent opening above its entrance end to permit venting of gasfrom the mixing-dispensing chamber and thereby to allow liquid to enterfrom said reservoir-carbonating chamber until the liquid reaches apredeterminedlevel in the mixing-dispensing chamber.

5. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the means forcausing actuation of said control valve includes a solenoid foractuating said valves, a switch for controlling energization anddeenergization of said solenoid upon closing and opening of the switch,and means including a float responsive to the level in saidmixing-dispensing chamber for controlling opening and closing of saidswitch, and wherein said discharge pipe has a vent opening above itsentrance end to permit venting of gas from the mixing-dispensing chamberand thereby to allow liquid to enter from said reservoir-carbonatingchamber until the liquid reaches a predetermined level in themixing-dispensing chamber to raise said float to close said switch andthereby restore gas supply to saidreservoir-carbonating chamber.

2. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 1 with the addition ofmeans for causing actuation of said control valve simultaneously topermit flow of carbonating gas into said reservoir-carbonating chamberwhen the carbonated liquid in said mixing-dispensing chamber moves froma predetermined high level to a predetermined low level and therebyforce liquid from the reservoir-carbonating chamber into saidmixing-dispensing chamber and to cut off carbonating gas from saidreservoir-carbonating chamber and simultaneously vent gas therefrom whenthe carbonated liquid in said mixing dispensing chamber returns to saidpredetermined high level and thereby permit liquid to be carbonated toenter said reservoir-carbonaTing chamber, the last-named means beingconstructed to cut off the supply of carbonating gas to saidreservoir-carbonating chamber when the liquid in the mixing-dispensingchamber drops below said predetermined low level while the supply of gascontinues through said restricted duct to said mixing-dispensingchamber.
 3. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein themeans for causing actuation of said control valve includes a solenoidfor actuating said valves, a switch for controlling energization anddeenergization of said solenoid upon closing and opening of the switch,and means including a float responsive to the liquid level in saidmixing-dispensing chamber for controlling opening and closing of saidswitch.
 4. A carbonating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein saiddischarge pipe has a vent opening above its entrance end to permitventing of gas from the mixing-dispensing chamber and thereby to allowliquid to enter from said reservoir-carbonating chamber until the liquidreaches a predetermined level in the mixing-dispensing chamber.
 5. Acarbonating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the means forcausing actuation of said control valve includes a solenoid foractuating said valves, a switch for controlling energization anddeenergization of said solenoid upon closing and opening of the switch,and means including a float responsive to the level in saidmixing-dispensing chamber for controlling opening and closing of saidswitch, and wherein said discharge pipe has a vent opening above itsentrance end to permit venting of gas from the mixing-dispensing chamberand thereby to allow liquid to enter from said reservoir-carbonatingchamber until the liquid reaches a predetermined level in themixing-dispensing chamber to raise said float to close said switch andthereby restore gas supply to said reservoir-carbonating chamber.